The Israeli Defence Force is embarking on its second day of air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Officials claim three militants have been killed and several targets have been hit, including what are claimed to be rocket launching sites operated by Hamas militants. The group’s military chief was killed by a strike yesterday.

Meanwhile, the UN security council has held an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the crisis. The Palestinian Authority had asked the council to issue a statement urging Israel to halt its offensive but no declaration was agreed.